Community Linkage

Every week there are new press releases, articles, information, and videos popping up concerning Paganism, spirituality, health, or disabilities. Community Linkage is a collection of useful information and sometimes entertainment for you. You can stay informed by adding me to one of your social circles on

Google+ or follow me on Twitter.

Sure Could Use a Little Good News

The Good News Guardian is a website I visit when I need an attitude boost. Here’s some stories that will brighten your day.

Does the start of the work week, Monday, make you blue?

“GiveMondays is the name of a new movement of anonymous benefactors that give money in blue envelopes which are then left in public places. The envelopes usually have “Open me!” written on them with 10 dollars and an encouraging note inside.”

People who find the envelopes are encouraged to share their experience on twitter with the #givemondays tag or at givemondays.com. They are also on Facebook.

This is a simple thing that is touching lives around the globe. Participation is easy. Just anonymously put a small amount of money in a blue envelope with an inspirational message and the project’s contact information. Then leave the envelope someplace to be picked up.

Science and Health

Souped-up immune cells force leukaemia into remission NewScientist by Andy Coghlan

Adaptimmune in Abingdon, UK,developed augmented immune cells (T-cells). Thirteen people with a form of cancer called multiple myeloma, a type of leukaemia, were injected with the cells and also received standard treatment.

“Three months after the injection, 10 of the 13 were in remission or very close to it – a 77 per cent response rate – and the others showed drastic reduction in their cancer. Standard treatment alone gives a response rate of between 33 and 69 per cent. The work was presented this week at the American Society of Hematology meeting in Atlanta, Georgia.”

FCC Federal Communications Commission Press Release

Washington, D.C. – Eight projects representing significant innovation in communications technology benefitting people with disabilities will receive the FCC’s Chairman’s Awards for
Advancement in Accessibility, presented by Chairman Julius Genachowski during a ceremony at 2 pm on Dec. 19 at FCC headquarters.

Now in their second year, the awards are intended to encourage technological innovation in communication-related areas and to recognize engineers, researchers, and other technologists
whose energies and perseverance contribute to technologies that help people with disabilities to obtain and succeed at jobs and participate more actively in the community.

The awards focus on six categories: Consumer Empowerment Information; Mobile Applications; Civic Participation Solutions; Education: College or University; Video Programming; and Geo-Location Solutions. In addition to the winners in these categories, two honorable mentions will also be recognized.

The Chairman’s 2012 AAA Winners are:
· Consumer Empowerment Information — Project StAR: Accessible Radio 2012/The Narrator
· Mobile Applications — WGBH National Center for Accessible Media: “Media AccessMobile”
· Civic Participation Solutions — Prime III: A Universally Designed Voting Machine
· Education: College or University — Project: Possibilities SS12: Code for a Cause

Full PDF release.